Forest Frolic Nov, 21

Hike among the pines and ferns that fill the forest surrounding the Skug River. FREE. In conjunction with Andover Village Improvement Society. 

WHERE: Skug River Reservation, Andover
Park at the trailhead at approximately 315 Salem Street, Andover

We'll hike a loop that encompasses the Skug River Reservation and the Jenkins Quarry section of Harold Parker State Forest. Depending on time, we can add a loop in the Hammond Reservation, across the street from the Skug River Reservation trailhead.
Total walking distance approx. 2.5 miles on fairly level ground, with some roots and rocks.

WHEN: Thursday, November 21, 2019. 9:30 am - 11:30 am.

Waldingfield Walk Nov, 24

Uncover local history as we explore the life and lands of Julia Bird. FREE. Monthy Walk. 

WHERE: Julia Bird Reservation, Ipswich
WHEN: Sunday, November 24, 2019. 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

Finding Farmland Dec, 03

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 5:00-8:30 pm
Dinner 5:00-5:30, Workshop 5:30-8:30

WHERE: Topsfield Fairgrounds, Bee Building

FREE.

For people who have farming experience and are looking for affordable, secure land tenure.

Presenter: Michael Parker, National Young Farmlers Coalition. Mike helps beginning farmers understand their financial decisions related to accessing land, through Young Farmers' Finding Farmland Calculator as well as in-person and online education projects. He has varied professional experience in farm direct-marketing, including as a farmworker, a food hub marketing associate, a farmer's market manager, a caterer, and a writer. Mike holds a degree in accounting from Georgetown University.

RSVP here or email jane@ecga.org

Questions about the event? Call Maggie at 978-768-7241, ext. 25.

Peaceful Fields Walk Dec, 19

Greenbelt's own Chris LaPointe guides this peaceful walk with a spectacular view. FREE.

WHERE: Donovan Reservation/Sagamore Hill Conservation Area, Hamilton

WHEN: Thursday, December 19, 2019. 9:30 am - 11:30 am.

Mutt Strut Dec, 29

Back by popular demand! Whether on four paws or two feet, this hike is fun for all participants. FREE. Monthly Walk.

WHERE: Tompson Street Reservation, Gloucester
WHEN: Sunday, December 29, 2019. 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

X-Country Ski Tour Jan, 12

Please RSVP!

WHERE: Willowdale Meadow and Willowdale State Forest, Topsfield
 
WHEN: Sunday, January 12, 1:00-3:00 pm

Please let us know if you will need to rent skis. Contact jane@ecga.org to reserve a pair! Quantities limited.

Snowshoe Excursion Jan, 16

WHERE: Goldsmith Reservation, Andover

WHEN: Thursday, January 16, 9:30-11:30 am

Please bring your own snowshoes. We have limited pairs to loan out-- if you need to borrow a pair, please contact jane@ecga.org to inquire about availability.

If there is no snow, we will simply go for a hike! Please RSVP to get the latest updates.  

Snowy Woods Walk or Snowshoe Feb, 20

WHERE: Greenbelt's Mehaffey Farm Trailhead & Willowdale West, Rowley
Please RSVP for parking details. DO NOT drive onto the farm itself.  

WHEN: Thursday, February 20, 9:30-11:30 am

Please bring your own snowshoes. We have limited pairs to loan out-- if you need to borrow a pair, please contact jane@ecga.org to inquire about availability.

Winter Wander Feb, 23

WHERE: Castle Neck River Reservation, Ipswich

WHEN: Sunday, February 23, 1:00-3:00 pm

If there is enough snow on the ground, we will snowshoe!
We have limited snowshoes to loan out. If you need to borrow a pair, please contact jane@ecga.org to inquire about availability.  

Discovering State Lands Mar, 19

WHERE: Boxford State Forest, Boxford
Sharpner's Pond Rd. entrance

WHEN: Thursday, March 19, 9:30-11:30 am

Woods and Water Walk Mar, 22

WHERE: Mill Pond Recreation Area, West Newbury
Please RSVP to get parking location updates.

WHEN: Sunday, March 22, 1:00-3:00 pm   

Animal Tracking Workshop Part 1 Apr, 01

WHERE: Cox Reservation, Essex
Conference Room

WHEN: Wednesday, April 1, 9:30-11:30 am

This day's workshop is in the classroom. Please sign up for part 2, out in the field, as well!

Questions? Email jane@ecga.org

Big Night Salamander Swarm - date TBA Apr, 01

WHAT: In early spring, several species of salamander migrate from the upland woods where they spent the winter, down to the same vernal pool where they were born, to mate and lay a new generation of eggs. This is an incredible opportunity to observe swarms of beautiful salamanders that are usually hard to spot-- like the blue spotted salamander. This migration night is called "Big Night."

WHERE: A vernal pool in Essex County! The location will be determined by the weather, rainfall amounts, etc. Check out the state's map of certified vernal pools here for a sneak peek at some of the sites we'll be monitoring...

WHEN: "Big Night"! Scientists never know ahead of time exactly which night will be the swarm! Conditions (rain, temperature) need to be just right. In Essex County, it's usually late march to early-April, on the first rainy night over 45 degrees Fahrenheit. We'll give everyone as much advance notice as we can.

HOW: We will email everyone on Big Night, so start checking your email on evenings when the conditions might be just right...! We'll try to give you a heads up a few days before if the weather forecast indicates a likely night. Stage your boots, flashlight, and raincoat near the door and be ready to go! 

Greenbelt staff and our partners at Cell Signaling Technology are really excited to share this amazing outing with you!

Animal Tracking Workshop Part 2 Apr, 02

WHERE: Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Rowley

WHEN:  Thursday, April 2, 9:30-11:30 am

This day's workshop is in the field. Please sign up for part 1, in the classroom, to prepare for today's class!

Please dress for the weather and wear waterproof footwear.

Questions? Email jane@ecga.org

Vernal Pond Field Trip Apr, 04

WHERE: Tompson Street Reservation, Gloucester
Please RSVP to get parking location updates

WHEN: Saturday, April 4, 10:00-11:30 am

First Nations History Hike Apr, 05

WHERE: Maudslay State Park, Newburyport

WHEN: Sunday, April 5, 1:00-3:00 pm

Guides Mary Gage and James Gage will lead us through the park and discuss the ceremonial earthworks that can be found there. Click here to visit our guides' website where you'll learn about their research into stone structures all over New England and beyond. 

Woodland Wander Apr, 16

WHERE: Glennie Woodlot and Town Farm Conservation Area, North Andover

Please RSVP to get updates on parking location.

WHEN: Thursday, April 16, 9:30-11:30 am  

Stone Tower Hike May, 02

WHERE: Lynn Woods, Pennybrook Rd entrance, Lynn 

WHEN: Saturday, May 2, 1:00-3:00 pm

WHAT: Join Greenbelt and Lynn Woods Ranger Dan to hike up to Dungeon Rock and then to the Stone Tower for views of Boston and the North Shore.

Global Big Day Bird Counting May, 09

WHERE: All properties and trails!
Here are some of our favorites for birding:
Carter Fields, Boxford
Green Meadows, Hamilton
Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Rowley
Castle Neck River Reservation, Ipswich
Sally Weatherall Reservation, Ipswich
Alt Reservation, Beverly
Wet Meadows, Newbury
Hans Morris Reservation, Newbury
Baypoint Riverfront, Haverhill
Allyn Cox Reservation, Essex

WHEN: Saturday, May 9, all day

WHAT: Global Big Day is a citizen science event that happens all over the world! Head to your favorite birding spot, observe and count the bird species you see, then report it on ebird to be part of the fun!

Photo credit: Craig Gibson

Birds Bees and Butterflies May, 16

WHERE: Cox Reservation
82 Eastern Ave.
Essex, MA

WHEN: Saturday, May 16
10:00 am - 1:00 pm

WHAT: Greenbelt, Essex County Beekeepers Association, and North Shore Nature Programs will host activities for kids and families:
-Greenbelt Beehive Opening (watch from a mesh-enclosed tent to comfortably observe the bees up close!)
-Honey extraction and tasting!
-Beeswax craft demonstration
-Glass-walled observation hive
-Catch, observe, and release insect activities in the field
-Make a mason bee house for your home
-Scavenger hunt around the property
-More crafts, activities and snacks!
FREE

Whales Jaw Hike May, 28

WHERE: Dogtown, Gloucester
Summit Ave. parking area

WHEN: Thursday, May 28, 9:30-Noon

WHAT: Hike with Greenbelt's Stewardship Assistant Dave McKinnon to learn about the flora, fauna, and history of Dogtown. This hike is longer than our usual Thursday hikes, so please be prepared to walk for 3 hours (no drop points). Contact jane@ecga.org if you have questions about the difficulty of the walk. Thanks!

National Trails Day Jun, 01

WHERE: All properties and trails!

WHEN: June 1, 2020 National Trails Day

WHAT: Activities TBA

If you do a trail clean-up, post a photo on Instagram and tag us! @ecgreenbelt #wearegreenbelt

Art in the Barn 2020 Jun, 12

Art in the Barn is a fine art show with part of the proceeds supporting Greenbelt's land conservation work.

Paintings, pastels, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, woodcraft, and more!

Parking and admission are free.

WHERE: Allyn Cox Reservation
82 Eastern Ave.
Essex, MA

WHEN: June 12-13, 2020
Updated hours coming soon! Check https://ecga.org/artinthebarn for updates!

Want to submit your work for the show?
This is a juried show. Please email jane@ecga.org to be put on our outreach list and get an update when our jury call goes out in early 2020.

The jury makes its decisions in late April.